Farmers in all parts of the country are being quoted as much as €270/t for their coarse ration this week, according to a survey carried out by the Irish Farmers Journal.

Prices for finishing coarse ration around the country range from €225/t to €273/t including delivery, with higher prices being quoted in the northeast. The average price paid by farmers nationally is €255/t. This compares with prices of €220/t to €270/t for beef finisher ration last year.

Finishing nut, with protein values of between 12% and 14%, ranged from €264/t to €283/t, with the lower price being quoted in the west.

For stores, a grower ration with 15% protein ranged from €237/t to €268/t. Lower prices were quoted in the southeast of the country, while the higher figures came from the northeast.

Lamb finisher ranged from €225/t bulk collected to €268/t for delivery. Dairy ration quotes range from €240/t to €285/t for an 18% protein mix. In Munster, lower prices of €265/t were quoted for a 16% dairy ration, while higher prices of €286 were quoted up in Donegal.

Highest prices

The highest prices quoted were for 21% dairy rations, at up to €319/t in the northwest.

Feed merchants say they are very busy now coming into the winter period. One merchant told the Irish Farmers Journal that prices are back €20-30/t compared with last year. However, the quotes received from around the country seem to be on par with last year. There is big variability in the prices quoted for similar rations, but all the merchants stressed that quality reflects the prices given.